Sony HT-A5000 Soundbar Review
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For audiophiles and casual listeners alike, the quest for perfect sound often leads to high-end, dedicated speaker systems. These setups boast a full array of audio components, including subwoofers, receivers, and multiple speakers. However, setting up such an intricate system can be impractical for many due to spatial, aesthetic, and logistical challenges—not to mention the tangle of wires that often accompany it.
So what's the alternative for those who want great sound but face limitations like limited space, budget constraints, or aesthetic considerations? Enter the soundbar, specifically the Sony HT-A5000.
The Sony HT-A5000 is a 5.1.2-channel soundbar priced at $999.99, delivering 450W of power. It features front left, front right, and center channels, along with front left and right side channels, two up-firing drivers, and dual built-in bass woofers. Unlike other models in Sony's HT series that come with external speakers, the HT-A5000 is a standalone unit. However, it offers the flexibility to enhance your setup with additional wireless subwoofers and rear speakers which are included in this review. This mid-range soundbar is equipped with two up-firing channels, making it compatible with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X object-based audio formats.
The soundbar offers a range of wireless connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, and Bluetooth. The HT-A5000 also offers support for Sony's high-quality LDAC codec. The soundbar's Bluetooth can switch between receive and transmit modes, both with LDAC support, so you can easily connect wireless headphones or earbuds for a more personal listening experience.
Design
The Sony HT-A5000 sports a sleek, eye-catching design, though it's only available in black. With dimensions of 47.75-inches in width, 5.62-inches in depth, and 2.75-inches in height, it's a sizable yet lightweight unit, weighing in at just 13.8 pounds. The front features a transparent grille that, when viewed at a certain angle, reveals the drivers behind it. A bright LED display adds to its functionality, and bass ports are conveniently situated at both ends of the unit. The up-firing drivers share the same grille design as the front, giving the A5000 a unique look.
At the back of the soundbar, you'll find a range of connection options including an HDMI input and output, an optical input, and a USB port. The HDMI input is capable of passing through 4K/120, gaming features like VRR and ALLM, and HDR formats such as HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision. As for audio formats, the USB port can handle a variety of files including MP3, FLAC, ALAC, and DSD. The HDMI ports are equally versatile, offering compatibility with several Dolby formats like Atmos, Digital+, and TrueHD, as well as DTS formats like DTS-HD MA, High-Resolution Audio, and DTS:X, along with LPCM soundtracks.
The A5000 comes with a well-designed remote control that offers easy access to frequently used features. While it lacks backlit buttons, the remote is intuitively laid out, ensuring responsive clicks and a comfortable, tactile feel during use. If you decide to expand your setup with rear speakers and a subwoofer, the remote also includes dedicated buttons for input switching and volume control for those additional components.
Speaking of the wireless rear speakers, the SA-RS3S is priced at $349.99 and offers a wall-mountable design. Each speaker delivers 50W of power, collectively adding 100W to your overall system. On the back of the unit, you'll find a power button and a link button for manual pairing, should the speakers not automatically connect. Although they are wireless speakers, they’ll still need to be plugged into a power outlet.
Shifting our focus to the wireless subwoofer, the SA-SW3 model boasts a 6.3-inch woofer and delivers 200 watts of power. The unit features a textured pattern on its top and sides, while a fabric cover adorns the front. On the back, you'll find controls for power and wireless connectivity, along with a socket for the provided power cable. A subtle indicator light on the front indicates the subwoofer's power and connection status.
Setup
Pairing the HT-A5000 with a Sony A95L is easy and the two devices fit together seamlessly. Although the surround speakers and subwoofer didn't connect automatically, a quick press of the link button on each unit connected them with no issues. Navigating the on-screen menus is intuitive, making everything from initial setup to Wi-Fi connectivity and auto-room calibration a breeze. While the Sony Music Center app offers some additional setup features, I found that using the soundbar's built-in menu system was easier and more user-friendly.
Performance
The initial standout feature is the sound detailing, with exceptional clarity and pinpoint positioning across a surprisingly expansive soundstage for a single-unit soundbar. When it comes to Dolby Atmos height effects, the HT-A5000 sets a high bar.
This was particularly evident in the final helicopter scene of “Mission Impossible: Fallout”, where the sound of the chopper blades felt noticeable overhead. Adding the surround speakers and subwoofer to the mix elevates the experience even further; the 360-degree spatial sound mapping is excellent, making you feel as if bullets are truly flying around the room.
Engaging the 'Soundfield' effect on the HT-A5000 further enhances the experience by expanding the soundstage. This allows sound effects and dialogue to emanate more freely, making them feel less confined to the soundbar itself. For instance, the 'Drone Chase' scene in "Oblivion" gains additional strength and spatial depth with this feature activated, and the height effects also benefit from added impact. I would generally recommend keeping the 'Soundfield' option enabled for an overall enriched sound experience.
The SA-SW3 subwoofer performs quite well, adding depth to the low-end frequencies, though it can become a bit overpowering when pushed to its limits. Using this system for the past week and a half, I didn't encounter any dropouts or connectivity issues with either the subwoofer or the surround speakers.
Listening to music via AirPlay provided an enjoyable experience across a variety of genres, both with the Sound Field Effect (SFE) enabled and disabled. When SFE is off, the bass comes through as lively and well-balanced, adding just the right amount of punch to tracks like Billie Eilish's "Bad Guy."
Activating the Sound Field Effect mode transforms the audio environment, notably amplifying the room-filling capabilities, particularly when playing Dolby Atmos Music. This enhanced soundstage is complemented by a subtle smoothing of any harsh sonic elements, while the bass and lower mid-range frequencies gain added richness and depth. The effectiveness of the SFE mode could vary depending on your song choice, but the good news is that it's easy to toggle on and off to suit your preferences.
Conclusion
The Sony HT-A5000 thoroughly deserves its status as an AVS Top Choice for 2023. Excelling in movie, TV, and music playback, the soundbar already offers a well-rounded audio experience right from the get-go. Activating its Soundfield function takes the performance up a notch, adding extra dimensions of height and width to the sonic landscape.
While it's a sizable unit that requires a fair amount of space, it pairs most harmoniously with Sony TVs. Plus, its design offers an appealing pathway for future upgrades, such as adding a subwoofer or rear speakers to enrich your audio setup even further. All in all, the Sony HT-A5000 is a standout option for those looking to elevate their home audio.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Great integration with Sony BRAVIA TVs | Some settings are hard to find |
Robust and detailed sound | Adding an optional subwoofer and rear speakers can drive up the total cost |
Easy to set-up |
